Masks at the marketplace: Local stores’ policies for customers

By Fred Cay, For the Beacon Journal

Thursday

May 7, 2020 at 4:10 PM

Gov. Mike DeWine’s call for store employees and customers to wear masks or face coverings to help limit the spread of coronavirus has been met with varying degrees of participation at area shops. While guidelines for workers are now followed on a widespread basis, few stores are turning away consumers who do not wear masks.

Here is a look at what some local and national chains are requiring of customers and employees.

Acme Fresh Market: The stores are providing masks to all employees. Customers are not required to wear face coverings, but are urged to do so.

Aldi: Employees are required to wear masks or face coverings. Customers are not required to wear masks, but are encouraged to do so.

Best Buy: Employees will wear protective clothing, practice social distancing, there will be employee self-health checks and employees will sanitize.

Buehler's Fresh Foods: Employees are required to wear face masks, but customers are not. Masks are provided for employees.

Costco: Employees and customers are required to wear face masks. This requirement does not apply to children under the age of 2 or to individuals who are unable to wear a face covering due to a medical condition.

Fishers Foods: Employees are required to wear face masks. Customers are encouraged to do so, but not required. Masks are provided to employees.

Giant Eagle: Employees are required to wear face masks; customers are not, but are strongly encouraged to do so.

Home Depot: Employees are required to wear face masks; customers are not. Masks are provided for employees.

Kohls: Kohl’s is offering dedicated shopping hours for at-risk individuals including seniors, those who are pregnant or have underlying health conditions every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. Signage and floor decals have been placed throughout the store to encourage six feet of social distancing, with a particular focus on high traffic areas including at customer service and checkout. For stores that have two or more entrances, one entrance has been closed and each store will operate with a single point of entry to the store. An associate greeter will be stationed at the front of the store with the sole role of welcoming customers, sanitizing carts between each use and limiting occupancy, as appropriate. Hand sanitizer will be readily available at each register and throughout the store for customer use.

Lowe's: Employees are required to wear masks; customers are not. Masks are provided for employees.

Marc’s: Employees are required to wear masks. Customers are strongly encouraged to wear masks and gloves.

Menards: Face masks required for employees and customers. Masks are provided free to employees and available to customers for $1 apiece.

Mustard Seed Market: Anyone who enters is required to wear a mask, the company said on its Facebook page. The only exceptions are for those who can’t wear a mask because of health reasons and children younger than 2.